Review: The Macallan Classic Cut 2017 Limited Edition
The Macallan Classic Cut is a series of annual releases that “celebrate The Macallan’s ongoing commitment to seek out the extraordinary and create whiskies of unique character.” The first release in the series – The Macallan Classic Cut 2017 Limited Edition – has been matured exclusively in sherry seasoned American and European oak casks from Jerez, Spain and bottled without an age statement at 58.4% ABV.
I purchased this bottle of The Macallan Classic Cut 2017 Edition at retail immediately upon release, and opened it the same day. That means I’ve been nursing this bottle since October 2017. That’s over five years. Yes, five years! After all this time, I figured I should put together a proper review. Here we go!
The Macallan Classic Cut 2017 Limited Edition Specifications:
- Spirit: Scotch.
- Classification: Single Malt.
- Region: Speyside.
- Age: NAS (No Age Statement).
- ABV: 58.4% (116.8 Proof).
- Cask Type: Matured exclusively in sherry seasoned American and European oak casks.
- Other: Natural Color, NCF (Non-Chill Filtered).
- Price Paid: $82.99 for 750 mL.
Tasting Notes:
- Color: Burnished orange.
- Nose: Sweet. Leads with aromas of vanilla, oak, cinnamon, and red grapes, followed by ginger and a hint of orange zest. After a couple minutes, aromas of milk chocolate, caramel, toffee, and a sweet, nutty, honeyed note reminiscent of baklava appear.
- Palate: Medium bodied – not thin, but not excessively creamy or oily either. The sweetness from the nose carries through on the palate with a ton of sherry influence, leading with cinnamon, nutmeg, and red grapes, followed by ginger and orange zest. The nutty/honey/baklava note from the nose makes its presence on the palate, alongside the milk chocolate and caramel notes and a pleasant oak influence.
- Finish: Lingers with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and red grapes. The orange zest note from the nose and palate turns into lemon zest and the milk chocolate note turns into a semi-bitter dark chocolate. More oak. Transitions from sweet to dry as it trails off.
Upon release, The Macallan Classic Cut 2017 Edition received a mixed reception from fans of the distillery and the whisky community as a whole. Whisky enthusiasts that were expecting this to be a sherry bomb similar to The Macallan Cask Strength were disappointed, whereas those that went in without expectations and an open mindset generally reacted more positively. Having never tasted The Macallan Cask Strength releases, it was easy for me to go into The Macallan Classic Cut without bias.
Being fully matured in sherry seasoned American and European oak casks, The Macallan Classic Cut 2017 Edition naturally exhibits a ton of sherry influence. However, I wouldn’t consider it to be a sherry bomb as it doesn’t have the intense, dark sherry character (think raisins, prunes, dark chocolate, etc.) typically associated with that style of whisky. The Macallan Classic Cut 2017 Edition is a harmonious balance between the underlying spirit of The Macallan Distillery and the sherry seasoned American and European oak casks in which that spirit was matured.
Of The Macallan Classic Cut releases I’ve tried to date, the 2017 Edition is my favorite, with the 2022 Edition coming in a close second. At the time of writing, The Macallan Classic Cut 2017 Edition is reselling for between $650-$1,000 on auction sites and through other channels. While it’s a lovely whisky, I can’t recommend spending that much on a bottle (assuming you’re going to drink it) when the 2022 Edition, which is almost as good, can currently be obtained at retail for around $150.
Rating: B+ (87–89%).